Short-listed by members of the MyCanon community from over 2000 entries, the top 50 were in the running to have a documentary made for the cause of their choosing.

Shortlised: Rachel’s image uses an ant as a metaphor for carrying the emotional load of depression. Picture: Canon ShineSource:Supplied

Canon will now shine a light on Julie Kerbel’s message via a national advertising campaign, short film and physical two month exhibition of the top 50 photo stories at the New South Wales State Library.

“Everyone is so often on their screens — they’re missing out on the moment. I would love to see people living in the moment more.

“That was my message behind this image: Engage, connect, be part of the world.”

Today show host, Canon Shine ambassador and passionate photographer Lisa Wilkinson also submitted an image, hoping to shine a light on the plight of women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Her stark image of 44-year-old cancer sufferer Marina McDonald holding daughter Sydney speaks of the strength of women undergoing treatment for the disease.

“What I’ve been struck by is the beauty and strength of women who have gone through breast cancer and are coming out the other side,’’ Wilkinson said.

Far from home, Aussie singer Guy Sebastian chose to highlight the homeless people on the streets of LA.

Short-listed: Mitchell Henderson’s image of a peaceful scene in Kashmir is about embracing the good in the world. Picture: Canon ShineSource:Supplied

The Canon Shine platform was launched in April 2014 with prominent Australians Lisa Wilkinson, Steve Waugh and Guy Sebastian, as well as a number of Canon Master photographers leading the movement by unveiling what mattered to them.

photo galleryPhoto shines light on the simple things

Canon Australia unveils the winner of the 2014 Canon Shine platform, where more than 2000 photographs by Australians of all walks of life showed what matters to them most. Shortlisted by popular vote, the top 50 photos were judged by an esteemed panel to determine this year’s winner: ‘Disconnect to reconnect’ by Julie Kerbel. Canon will now shine a light on Julie Kerbel’s message via a national advertising campaign, short film and physical two month exhibition of the top 50 photo stories at the New South Wales State Library. JULIE KERBEL - “My message to kids is ‘unplug your screens’! Get up! Get out! Explore, have fun, develop your talents, be part of a team and build friendships that last a lifetime. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered.” Picture:
Canon Shine1 of 21

STEPHEN - “1000 miles from a city? No, seven miles from Sydney. Cabbage Tree Bay in Manly was made a ‘No Take’ Aquatic Reserve in 2002. In the 12 years since, sea life has returned and thrived. It is a lesson in environment and cities shining together.” Picture:
Canon Shine2 of 21

BABYDOLL - “I was sentenced to death for no crime I committed and no harm I have done - except for being born. I was discarded, abandoned, and left in the cold. But now I sit beside my human and look out across the sea. Safe, warm, forever. “ Picture:
Canon Shine3 of 21

RACHEL - “So many people say “I’m fine”, and continue to struggle to carry the weight of depression alone. To overcome the stigma of mental illness, it takes more than just one’s strength and courage; it takes an army of support.” Picture:
Canon Shine4 of 21

TERRY - “I want people to understand the beauty of Mother Nature when she is angry. This was shot on the back of a storm cell near Clifton and I know that if people would just stop and look, it would give them a whole new perspective on life.” Picture:
Canon Shine5 of 21

JULIE KERBEL - “My message to kids is ‘unplug your screens’! Get up! Get out! Explore, have fun, develop your talents, be part of a team and build friendships that last a lifetime. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered.” Picture:
Canon Shine6 of 21

LINA J - “Seeing life through the eyes of a child is like travelling into a magical dream where suddenly anything is possible. Appreciate. Dream. Stand still. Explore the world around you with wonder and delight.” Picture:
Canon Shine8 of 21

MITCHELL HENDERSON - “I’d like to shine a light on the harm caused to and the mistreatment of animals for the purpose of entertaining tourists. Especially the exploitation of animals by western tourists in developing countries where regulations and education are lacking greatly.” Picture:
Canon Shine9 of 21

JULIE KERBEL - “My message to kids is ‘unplug your screens’! Get up! Get out! Explore, have fun, develop your talents, be part of a team and build friendships that last a lifetime. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered.” Picture:
Canon Shine10 of 21

KATE KENNEDY BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY - “With birth intervention and caesarean statistics soaring in Australian hospitals, this mum chose to birth at home with the support of two skilled midwives, her husband and son. This is the joy of birth!” Picture:
Canon Shine11 of 21

ANGELA G - “We humans think that we have the right to put animals in tiny cages for personal entertainment. Why? Animals know fear; animals feel pain. They are intelligent and they are beautiful. And they definitely have the right to live freely.” Picture:
Canon Shine12 of 21

JACKSON LORIA - “Skateboarding matters to me. I believe it is becoming bigger every year as a sport and a way of life. Amazing talent rises from the community and for me creates a journey in my life.” Picture:
Canon Shine13 of 21

HEATH HOLDEN - “As occupants of this earth, we must start caring for it more than we currently do. If not, this image shows the only way we can appreciate the unique and voiceless species that also rely on a healthy environment. Money is not #1.” Picture:
Canon Shine14 of 21

MRYAN PHOTOGRAPHY - “Behind all the bullets and bloodshed in war there are still pockets of beauty. I captured these two boys playing on a pile of corn in a rural village in Afghanistan, 2012.” Picture:
Canon Shine15 of 21

HOLLY - “A child sleeping soundly in a cart surrounded by items that most countries would describe as trash. To the mother of that child, the baby is surrounded by valuable items that she can sell to give her baby a ‘real’ bed to sleep in.” Picture:
Canon Shine16 of 21

JULIE - “The birth of a child should be a time of celebration. But for many mothers and babies in developing countries, it is a dance with death. In Cambodia, a country ravaged by extreme poverty, babies are often raised on the harsh streets.” Picture:
Canon Shine17 of 21

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Canon Australia unveils the winner of the 2014 Canon Shine platform, where more than 2000 photographs by Australians of all walks of life showed what matters to them most. Shortlisted by popular vote, the top 50 photos were judged by an esteemed panel to determine this year’s winner: ‘Disconnect to reconnect’ by Julie Kerbel. Canon will now shine a light on Julie Kerbel’s message via a national advertising campaign, short film and physical two month exhibition of the top 50 photo stories at the New South Wales State Library. JULIE KERBEL - “My message to kids is ‘unplug your screens’! Get up! Get out! Explore, have fun, develop your talents, be part of a team and build friendships that last a lifetime. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered.” Picture:
Canon Shine

STEPHEN - “1000 miles from a city? No, seven miles from Sydney. Cabbage Tree Bay in Manly was made a ‘No Take’ Aquatic Reserve in 2002. In the 12 years since, sea life has returned and thrived. It is a lesson in environment and cities shining together.” Picture:
Canon Shine

BABYDOLL - “I was sentenced to death for no crime I committed and no harm I have done - except for being born. I was discarded, abandoned, and left in the cold. But now I sit beside my human and look out across the sea. Safe, warm, forever. “ Picture:
Canon Shine

RACHEL - “So many people say “I’m fine”, and continue to struggle to carry the weight of depression alone. To overcome the stigma of mental illness, it takes more than just one’s strength and courage; it takes an army of support.” Picture:
Canon Shine

TERRY - “I want people to understand the beauty of Mother Nature when she is angry. This was shot on the back of a storm cell near Clifton and I know that if people would just stop and look, it would give them a whole new perspective on life.” Picture:
Canon Shine

JULIE KERBEL - “My message to kids is ‘unplug your screens’! Get up! Get out! Explore, have fun, develop your talents, be part of a team and build friendships that last a lifetime. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered.” Picture:
Canon Shine

LINA J - “Seeing life through the eyes of a child is like travelling into a magical dream where suddenly anything is possible. Appreciate. Dream. Stand still. Explore the world around you with wonder and delight.” Picture:
Canon Shine

MITCHELL HENDERSON - “I’d like to shine a light on the harm caused to and the mistreatment of animals for the purpose of entertaining tourists. Especially the exploitation of animals by western tourists in developing countries where regulations and education are lacking greatly.” Picture:
Canon Shine

JULIE KERBEL - “My message to kids is ‘unplug your screens’! Get up! Get out! Explore, have fun, develop your talents, be part of a team and build friendships that last a lifetime. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered.” Picture:
Canon Shine

KATE KENNEDY BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY - “With birth intervention and caesarean statistics soaring in Australian hospitals, this mum chose to birth at home with the support of two skilled midwives, her husband and son. This is the joy of birth!” Picture:
Canon Shine

ANGELA G - “We humans think that we have the right to put animals in tiny cages for personal entertainment. Why? Animals know fear; animals feel pain. They are intelligent and they are beautiful. And they definitely have the right to live freely.” Picture:
Canon Shine

JACKSON LORIA - “Skateboarding matters to me. I believe it is becoming bigger every year as a sport and a way of life. Amazing talent rises from the community and for me creates a journey in my life.” Picture:
Canon Shine

HEATH HOLDEN - “As occupants of this earth, we must start caring for it more than we currently do. If not, this image shows the only way we can appreciate the unique and voiceless species that also rely on a healthy environment. Money is not #1.” Picture:
Canon Shine

MRYAN PHOTOGRAPHY - “Behind all the bullets and bloodshed in war there are still pockets of beauty. I captured these two boys playing on a pile of corn in a rural village in Afghanistan, 2012.” Picture:
Canon Shine

HOLLY - “A child sleeping soundly in a cart surrounded by items that most countries would describe as trash. To the mother of that child, the baby is surrounded by valuable items that she can sell to give her baby a ‘real’ bed to sleep in.” Picture:
Canon Shine

JULIE - “The birth of a child should be a time of celebration. But for many mothers and babies in developing countries, it is a dance with death. In Cambodia, a country ravaged by extreme poverty, babies are often raised on the harsh streets.” Picture:
Canon Shine